IFMA release

WILMINGTON, DE — The Delaware Chapter of the International Facility Management Association presented a check for $25,000 to Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County at its holiday luncheon last month. The funds were proceeds from the Delaware Chapter’s 17th annual golf tournament, held at Brandywine Country Club in Wilmington, Deleware.

Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County plans to use the money to help build 10 townhouses in an area of Wilmington that was formerly a brownfield. The nonprofit housing organization selects working families who earn between 25 to 60 percent of the county’s median income as prospective residents. About 70 to 80 percent of those selected are single mothers.

“We look at our role as really providing the first level of stability and increasing homeownership to attract other investors and housing groups into the area,” said Kevin Smith, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County. “Potential homeowners have to do what we call ‘sweat equity’ and help build their own house or other people’s houses. They’re all out there working together on some pretty cold days — and they end up building a community at the same time.”

“The Delaware Chapter continues to assist Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County because of the relationship between facility management and homeownership as well as the ability to support our local community,” said Harriet McGraw, past president of the Delaware Chapter and chair of the partnering/sponsor programs committee. “Over the past several years, this partnership has helped ensure that Habitat continues to build multiple homes for families in need of decent shelter.”

The Delaware Chapter has supported the local Habitat for Humanity through proceeds from its annual golf outing since 1995. In addition, chapter members have volunteered their time and expertise during monthly workdays at local building sites.

“We’re just really grateful to IFMA Delaware for its continued support,” Smith said. “IFMA sees what we’re trying to do and has really gotten behind us full force. It’s good to know we’ve got partners like IFMA Delaware that are getting beside us and helping us out.”

IFMA is the world’s largest and most widely recognized international association for professional facility managers, supporting more than 19,500 members in 60 countries. The association’s members, represented in 125 chapters and 15 councils worldwide, manage more than 37 billion square feet of property and annually purchase more than US$100 billion in products and services. Formed in 1980, IFMA certifies facility managers, conducts research, provides educational programs, recognizes facility management certificate programs and produces World Workplace, the world’s largest facility management conference and exposition. For more information, visit the IFMA press room or www.ifma.org.